High School Dilemma

Chapter 14

Sango opened her eyes slightly. She saw several people standing above her. Why was she laying on the floor? She, then, saw a face that made her remember. "Kohaku?"

"Sango?" He offered her a hand. She accepted it. As he helped her up, he pulled her into a hug.

"I thought that you were dead."

"I thought that you were, too. What happened to you?"

"I don't exactly remember all of it. After mom and dad were killed and I thought you were dead, Naraku held me in a room for I don't know how long. It was driving me insane. There was no one there. Nothing to do. One day, Naraku came in. He pulled me to my feet by the throat. He told me that he'd kill me right then and there. I was a coward. After scaring me, he offered to keep me alive, only if I would work for him. Whenever Inuyasha and Miroku attacked I cowarded again. I must have looked pitiful, begging for my life."

"I don't blame you. Inuyasha can be very scary." Miroku commented. Inuyasha growled.

"Can it, monk. It's time that we get out of here and see how everyone else is fairing." Inuyasha commented. Sango put an arm around her brother's shoulders, causing him to blush. He wasn't used to affection anymore. Inuyasha looked out the door. He could see a light shining from the other hallway. He gestured for them to be quiet, which was quickly obeyed. A drunken guard wandered toward the guard's booth. Inuyasha saw him trip. He decided to make a quick run for it and knocked the man out before he realized that he had tripped over his friend. Miroku snuck to Inuyasha's earlier position and peeked around the corner to see what was going on. Inuyasha came out into the hallway and waved them on.

Sesshomaru grumbled as the guards kept coming. How many idiots follow that bastard? He sighed. His claws began to drip with poison. It wasn't enough to kill a man, but it was enough to cause some serious burns and injuries. Three men began to rush him at once. "Hasn't anyone told you to fight fair?" He dodged the first man who lunged at him. Instantly, the man regretted it, because he had a rather long way to roll down the stairs. The next guy took out a dagger. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and sidestepped the man's pathetic attempt to cut him. He slit his side with his claws. He yelled in pain as the acid began to eat away the skin around the cut. The third man tried to tackle him to the ground, but Sesshomaru ducked, causing his attacker to crash into the thick railing of the staircase. He smirked as the guy stood up and fell over again.

There was no one on the lower floor, but Kouga was being held up by some guards as he could hear. Three of the doors were still shut in the hallway. He knew that there were many more guards. He moved to the open door and cautiously peeked in. No one was in. He went inside and looked around. It was a rather large room. There was some thick trim around the door. It looked like it was used for a ledge. On two wall was windows. It would be easy to see if anyone was coming from the front side of the house. Sesshomaru heard the fourth stair, which was on the brink of collapsing, creaking. He jumped up onto the ledge. His hand knocked down a old can. He took it and dropped it off of the ledge.

"What was that?"

"I don't know. Let's check it out." Sesshomaru leaned forward a little. He saw a someone directly under him, scanning the room. He smirked as he jumped down, directly in front of the man. He smirked at the look of terror on the man's face.

"God damn it, Sesshomaru." Miroku cursed, echoed by Inuyasha. Sesshomaru smirked.

"Should have expected something." Kagome rolled her eyes as Inuyasha grumbled.

"So, where's Kouga?"

"He's finishing up his group down stairs."

"Feh. That moron can't handle a few wimpy humans."

"I heard that." Kouga said as he came up the stairs. He had a few members of his gang with him. One of them was clutching a wound on his side. Kagome immediately took out a bandage from her pack. Kikyo took it out of her hand. Kagome gave her a questioning look.

"I'll help the wounded. Go get Naraku back." She said. "Hit him a few times for me." Kagome nodded. Inuyasha went over to the group.

"Okay. Who's with me?"

"I." Sesshomaru said as he moved toward Inuyasha. Kagome joined the two brothers as did Miroku, Sango, Kohaku, and Kouga. Kouga's gang rested and were attended to by Kikyo. Kouga went over to him men.

"Keep guard here. If anyone not of the group that goes in right now comes out... well... use your imagination." They saluted him.

"Sure thing, boss."

Naraku opened his eyes. They were glowing crimson red. "Kagura?"

"Yes?"

"Come. They will arrive soon."

"Yes, Master Naraku." She turned around and rolled her eyes. Naraku turned to a nasty looking lizard demon and began chanting. Slowly, he became to be invisible. Naraku smirked.

"Make them suffer." Naraku moved out of the room.

"Your control over us is soon to end." Kagura trailed distantly behind him.

Inuyasha was standing next to Sesshomaru, both of them scanning the room they were in. As soon as they went inside, the door seemed to disappear. No one understood it, but it happened. They caught a hold of a demon's scent and followed it here. Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose.

"There's a foul stench in this room. There's a demon aura, but no one's here." Inuyasha nodded.

"I don't see what's going on around here. Something's not right."

"A great evil is afoot here. Long ago, there was a sacred scroll pertaining to a spell. It cause invisibility. It was told to confuse the enemy. Eventually, they'd go insane, trying to find a way out. Naraku must have figured out the spell and now..." Miroku was caught off-guard and something hit him square in the chest with an amazing amount of strength. He fell backwards and skidded across the floor.

"MIROKU!" Sango shouted as she ran over to him. Miroku coughed as he stood to his feet.

"I'm alright. What was that?" Inuyasha unsheathed the Tetsusiaga.

"I don't have a clue." Sesshomaru growled.

"My guess is that Naraku has found a way to put that spell among demons. Invisibility would be a great power for one to have."

"But that's impossible." Miroku said.

"Did you see what hit you, monk?"

"Well.. no, but..."

"Unless we're all blind, then it's the only possible way." Sesshomaru said as he shut his eyes and leaned against the wall.

"But..."

"Be quiet now." Inuyasha mumbled something.

"Why?" Sesshomaru quickly unsheathed his sword and swiped at Inuyasha. Inuyasha just stared at Sesshomaru in shock as a demon hissed.

"You filth... I'm the great Kuria." Sesshomaru smirked.

"How's that cut on your side doing?"

"You must be the demon lord."

"My reputation precedes me. Too bad I never heard of you before."

"You'll regret that remark before I'm through with you."

"Well, why don't you stop the chit-chat and try?" Inuyasha caught the sound of dripping. He turned. Blood was dripping from a corner onto the floor. It was a good thing Sesshomaru had got him. He flexed his claws. He jumped into that corner, aiming from his invisible enemy. Somehow, he managed to avoid him.

"Lizard demon?" He called out. Sesshomaru's ears picked up the sound of claws clattering against the wall, running. He smirked as he ran straight at the demon, almost pinning him to the wall with his sword. He managed to cut off a good size of his tail. The demon screamed again. Laying on the floor was a scaly piece of tail. He nodded at Inuyasha.

"Good call. Lizard." The demon hissed.

"You're too lucky, demon lord. Now, you'll pay." Sesshomaru didn't hear anything. The demon probably had grown his tail back already and he had covered his wound. Suddenly, a loud clatter was directly in front of him as the demon landed directly in front of him. Sesshomaru felt the impact of the demon's tail on his side. It knocked him across the room. Inuyasha jumped toward the demon's last known position, but was hit dead out of the air, but the demon's large tail. He skidded across the room next to Sesshomaru.

"Protecting pathetic humans? What'll happen when you realize that you failed?" Inuyasha didn't catch his meaning behind that statement until the demon's claws were hear clattering toward Kagome.

"No." He jumped up and ran, but from the trail of noise he knew he'd be too late. Kagome stood in shock as she could actually see the demon, coming toward her. She didn't have time to draw her bow. It was too fast. Kouga stepped in front of her just in time to take the impact of the demon.

"Kouga!" Kagome yelled as Inuyasha in front of her.

"Hang on, Kagome. I don't know where that demon is. Stay with the rest of the group." He jumped over to Kouga, landing by his side. As soon as he did, the demon attacked him from behind. Kagome was the only on who could see the demon. He was smirking in a way that she was disgusted with. He was holding onto Inuyasha's back, digging his claws into his chest from behind him. She notched her bow with an arrow. Closing her eyes, she clear her thoughts. After opening her eyes, the arrow glowed pink in miko energy. Inuyasha screamed in pain as his shirt front began to soak the crimson blood. Kagome drew back her bow and aim. Please, hit it... She released the arrow. A loud screeching cry of pain was flowing through the room. Kagome saw the demon pinned to the wall by her arrow. Everyone stared at her in shock as she stared after the now visible demon. She put her bow down as the demon disappeared into ash.

"Well, that settles that." She looked over at Kouga. He was on his feet. All he had was a light scrape across his forearm.

"Thank you, Kouga."

"No problem. Were you able to see the demon?" She nodded. "How?"

"I focused my miko energy on the demon. When I pinpointed his location. It was easy. When I knew that he was attack Inuyasha. I had a clear shot and he was staying still, which only made it easier." She looked over at Inuyasha. He was on his feet. Blood had soaked his shirt on the left shoulder. She looked him in the eyes to see if he was alright. He smiled lightly to tell her he was fine. She nodded. Sesshomaru grumbled something as a door suddenly appeared on the other side of the room. He growled. He was getting tired of these childish games.

"Let's settle this once and for all." He mumbled. Everyone followed Sesshomaru out of the room. Last was Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Sorry I didn't hit him before he cut you."

"This?" He said as he pointed to his shoulder. "This is nothing." He looked ahead. "Wait a minute." He said as he stopped her. Once everyone was out of sight, his arm stowed around her waist as he spun her around in his arms. He pressed his lips gently against hers. She couldn't help, but kiss him back. He smiled against her kiss. She swooned. Inuyasha pulled away with a light growl as his hearing picked up footsteps coming back. Miroku peeked his head around the corner.

"Are you coming?"

"Yes." Inuyasha hissed as his crossed him arms in front of his chest, stubbornly. Kagome smiled as she looped her arm with his.

"The miko kill him?" Naraku asked his servant. The servant bowed his head.

"I'm afraid so, my lord. She had that she was able to see straight through the spell and saw exactly where she was."

"That miko seems to have more power than she lets on. She seems to have more power than Kikyo."

"Yes, my lord. Is that why you were going to capture her early this evening?" Naraku's eyes glowed red.

"How do you know of that attempt?" His servant shrunk back into the corner, shaking in fear on his hands and knees.

"Please, lord. It overheard a rumor. Please spare your humble servant." Naraku's eyes quit glowing. The demon sighed in relief. His master wasn't upset anymore. Naraku nodded at Kagura, who smirked lightly. The servant caught on. "No, my lord, please." Kagura's fan opening was the last time he saw.

Sesshomaru peered around a corner. There were two rather large demons guarding a door. He looked back. Inuyasha was now with the group again and he took the back. Inuyasha was watching his brother. Sesshomaru caught his eye and waved him forward. Inuyasha nodded. As he came forward, he paused a moment and shot Kouga a look. He nodded as if e understood what he meant and took over Inuyasha's position in the rear.

"There's two of them. They appear strong, but they are not. They haven't even caught on to our aura." Inuyasha nodded and winced when he pulled his injured shoulder a little. Sesshomaru gave him a look.

"I'm fine."

"Can you still fight?"

"Feh. Of course I can fight. I'm not a weakling." Inuyasha's voice began to raise.

"Okay. Here's your chance." Inuyasha peeked around the corner. They were walking toward them. He took out the Tetsusiaga. He leaned up against the wall and closed his eyes. Doing so enhanced his hearing. He could hear them whispering to each other.

"Are you sure you heard something?"

"Are you challenging me?"

"Do you see a challenge?"

"No, I see a weak bastard who has the senses of a human." The insulted demon growled and socked the other one in the face. They began quarreling amongst themselves. Inuyasha growled with annoyance. He stepped out from the corner, swiping his sword. One of the demons were beheaded. Before the other one could react, Inuyasha impaled his through the stomach with his sword. Sesshomaru just watched. 'I'd hate to admit it, but that was an excellent move.' Inuyasha went over to the door and then looked behind him.

"Are you all coming?" Sesshomaru nodded as he went to the door. The others followed. Here comes hell, Naraku. You can't expect much less... Inuyasha looked at the door handle.

"Is everyone ready?" He saw all of their heads nod. His protective gaze halted on Kagome. She gave a simple smile of encouragement along with another nod. He turned the handle, pushing the door, open. Immediately, a huge gust of wind surrounded them, pushing them back. Inuyasha looked straight ahead and saw Kagura, the source of the wind. He growled as he pulled out the Tetsusiaga. No one knows of Tetsusiaga's real power. Maybe it's time to reveal them. He thought. He looked straight ahead at Kagura and her attack of the wind. There it is... He said to himself as he saw where the two winds met. "WIND SCAR." Miroku's and Kagome's felt a surge of energy coming from the sword. Suddenly, a huge amount of energy released itself from the large blade. Sesshomaru smirked. That's the Tetsusiaga's true power. I've never seen it before. Kagura screamed as the oncoming attack hit her full force, blowing her back into the wall. Miroku had moved quickly as the wind began blowing. After nearly losing his footing, he stuck his staff into the flooring. It broke as he staff when through and it solid ground. He reached for Sango and held her close to him so as to make sure she didn't get blown back. All of the demons were able to keep their footing and Kouga held Kagome against him. Sesshomaru had grabbed Kohaku by the shoulder. The wind died down and Sesshomaru let go of the boy. Kouga let go of Kagome.

"Thank you, Kouga. Not only for now, but for earlier as well."

"No problem." Miroku pulled his staff out of the floor. Sango smiled.

"Thanks."

"No big deal." He said as he grabbed her hand. "I wasn't about to let you go." Sango looked up.

"Miroku, no perverted thoughts up there right now. We have a fight to win." He nodded.

"I know." Sango unsheathed the katana she had 'borrowed' from one of the fallen guards. Miroku sighed. "Here goes another battle with Naraku, let's just hope this time we finish it."

They filtered in the room. Inuyasha moved to the far side of the room, so that he stood directly in front of Naraku.

"It's over, Naraku. Surrender or die."

"Just like a hero, Inuyasha. You would give me a chance to live, but I'm sorry. To surrender is to cower and I'm no coward. To die is a way of honor, I'm a man of honor."

"What's honorable about you? You're a deceiver, thief, and kidnapper. Those ways are not honorable."

"It all depends on the reason."

"What? Do you think you're some kind of martyr?"

"Perhaps."

"Well, if that's what you believe, you're the best deceiver to ever live. You deceived yourself into believing so, but if you insist, martyrs die for their beliefs. I'll have your head now." He said as the Tetsusiaga quivered as his energy pulsed through it. He jumped forward, swiping the sword horizontally. Naraku jumped back quickly as he dodged the attack. He glared daggers at the hanyou.

"Let it be hell for your friends as well." He snapped his fingers. In from an invisible door, many, many demon came into the room. Sango found herself wishing she had her weapon. Her grip tightened on the sword in her hand as a demon turned toward her.

"Let's get this show on the road." She blocked the demon's claws with the katana in her hand. The demon swiped at her with his other hand, but she pushed away from him and swiped the sword at the hand, cutting it clean off. The demon howled in anger and pain. Sango took the opportunity to impale the demon through the gut with the blade. Sango glanced beside her at Miroku. He was staring at the demon in front of him. The demon didn't usher a word. It charged him with it's claw extended. Miroku sighed. The demon lunged at him, but Miroku took his staff and swung it like a baseball hat at the demon's head. It skidded off in a different direction toward Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru was doing fine on his own. By the time Sango and Miroku had one demon down, he had take out four. Poison was dripping off of his claws. The scowl on his face was enough to knock the fear into some of the minor demons. His poise told them that he would slaughter them if they made one move. As if they had telepathic abilities, they all charged him as one. He smirked. He took the sword from his waist. Before anyone knew it, all of the demons had different limbs laying on the floor and was screaming in pain. One had his chest completely sliced open. Sesshomaru wasn't completely heartless. After a moment of enjoying what he thought was fair, to leave the demon to bleed to death, he finished him off. Sesshomaru spoke few words.

"If you're alive, you're lucky. Get out of here." The four other demons stood up. They glared daggers at Sesshomaru's back. One of them lunged at him. Sesshomaru didn't even look back. He flicked poison into the demon's eyes.

"Ungrateful." He glanced around. The demon slayer and monk were doing fine on their own... for humans that was. He looked to his other side. If a human could fight, it was the miko. She wasn't stopping. No demon could get close enough to hit her. As soon as she shot an arrow, another one had replaced it. He smirked. He found he liked the miko(NOT romantically). Just as that thought finished, a demon was subtly sneaking around her. He growled. He ran across the room. The demon barely got a glimpse of him before he slammed him against the wall. Grabbing a hold of his collar, he chucked the guy into a group that was about to charge Kagome and him. Sesshomaru smirked lightly and glanced at Kagome. She smiled at him and nodded her thanks. He nodded back at her. Kagome could definitely see the resemblance in between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, especially right then. Sesshomaru heard a demon coming from behind him and closed his eyes. Kagome had a feeling he knew exactly when he was. She was proved right whenever Sesshomaru turned quickly and dug his claws into the demon's stomach, causing the demon to scream in pain.

Kagome thought of Sesshomaru as a stiff, but she was beginning to respect him a little more. He was always there whenever they needed help. She knew it was probably because he didn't exactly like Naraku, but she also have a hunch that it was also because Inuyasha was in a little trouble. Speaking of Inuyasha... she thought as she turned to see him facing off with Naraku. His chest was heaving as he breathed in and out. His eyes was locked on Naraku in a heated gaze. Determination was etched on his face. The Tetsusiaga was raised in a defensive position. There were several cuts all over his body, but none of then looked to be too bad. Still, they probably hurt like hell. Naraku felt her gaze and quickly glanced at her. Inuyasha took Naraku's distraction to his best use. He leaped forward and swung the Tetsusiaga at him. Naraku jumped backward, but the sword cut off his sleeve of the baboon suit and a rather large gash was on his arm to where the bone was visible. He growled lowly.

"How dare you." He said his voice rose in anger.

"Shut up with the chit-chat and fight." Naraku ran toward Inuyasha. He flexed his claws and began swiping at Inuyasha. He dodged all of them until he was back against a wall. Naraku swiped at him and Inuyasha jumped up and put his feet on the wall. He pushed off and flipped over Naraku so that Naraku was pinned against the wall.

"Fancy moves hanyou, but it all ends here." He launched an attack. Inuyasha easily dodged every attempt.

"Feh. You're still as slow as you ever where." He growled. He saw the in Naraku's assault, he leaves his stomach unprotected. He ducked under Naraku's swiping claws and used his own claws. Inuyasha grumbled as his claw entered into Naraku's abdomen. Blood ran down his arm to his elbow and dripped down to the floor. Kagome closed her eyes and turned around. She could stand the sight of blood, even the sight of Naraku's pain, but that was a bit much. She heard glass shatter and turned back around. Inuyasha and Naraku were missing, but the shattered glass belonged to the window. She ran to the window. Laying flat on his back in the drive-way was Naraku. From what she could tell, his eyes weren't open and he wasn't moving, but yet so was Inuyasha, who was laying in a ditch a few feet away. Kagome would have gasped by her breath caught in her throat. She ran out of the room down the hall, back the way that they came from. When she entered the room where they fought the lizard demon the doors disappeared once again. Kagome looked around her until she spotted an enemy in the middle.

"Naraku." She hissed as if his name was poison. A low chuckle emitted from the man.

"Yes?"

"How are you here? I just saw you fall out the window."

"Ah, I see that you were deceived by my decoy. Inuyasha must have been as well. It sounded like he was giving them hell up there."

"He was."

"Now, Kagome. I have you stuck in this room, without a weapon." He said as he gestured for her bow. She reached back , but didn't feel her bow there.

"Bastard." Naraku chuckled once again.

"I could use your miko energy. Why don't you give your soul up to me?"

"Why don't you burn in hell?"

"If that's how you're going to act, I'm going to have to take it by force. I don't want to have to do that."

"Do you really think that I'd just sale my soul to you? For what?"

"Inuyasha's life." Kagome stopped.

"What?"

"My decoy can't die unless I die. So, he isn't exactly defeated." A window appeared and Kagome looked out. Inuyasha was still battling the decoy. He didn't seem like he had much left in him. He wasn't quick on his feet. He had some problems seeing straight as she could tell by him rubbing his eyes and completely missing the decoy whenever he moved to strike him.

"Inuyasha!" She yelled. Inuyasha looked up and saw Kagome by a window for a moment before the window disappeared and became part of the building.

"Kagome." He yelled. The demon ahead of him moved to strike him. Inuyasha growled.

"Pitiful bastard. Get out of my way." He yelled as he unsheathed the Tetsusiaga once again. The demon smirked.

"Give me your best shot." Inuyasha growled. "WINDSCAR!" The energy moved toward the demon, who moved to dodge it, but wasn't quick enough. The energy tore the man to bits. Inuyasha sighed and put the Tetsusiaga back in it's sheath.

"Do you really think you can be rid of me that easy, Inuyasha?" A voice said. Inuyasha looked around, but saw no one. He sniffed the air, but it wasn't anything there. Suddenly, in front of him appeared 'Naraku', who struck him in the stomach. Inuyasha hunched over, gasping for breath. the decoy put his fists together, raised them over his head and struck Inuyasha in the back, making him fall to the ground with a thud.

"You won't beat him. He'll tear that decoy apart."

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes." Naraku closed his eyes for one moment. Kagome saw his lips moving. It looked like he had whispered Inuyasha's name. That's it... He's controlling his decoy from here. Whatever he says like that is what Inuyasha is hearing from the decoy. I got to stop him or else Inuyasha will have no chance. "I'm not just going to hand over my life for your selfish deeds, Naraku. You'll have to kill me before you can have my powers or my soul."

"Have it your way." Naraku said as he ran toward her. He jumped up and his claws extended. Kagome easily dodged his attack, simply my moving out of the way. Naraku smirked as he ran towards her again. Kagome, just, stood there. She kept her eye on Naraku's every move. Not yet, just a moment longer... Hold it... now. She used a miko power that he grandfather had just taught her. She closed her eyes and put her hands in front of her. Whenever Naraku came close enough, sparks came from her fingertips and shocked Naraku, who skidded backwards on the floor.

Inuyasha rolled himself over. 'Naraku' stood above him a small sword in hand. "This is your end, hanyou." Inuyasha didn't have any time to move. Naraku was already about to pierce his chest. Suddenly, Naraku screamed in pain. Inuyasha rolled a little ways away from him. He was in pain, but Inuyasha really didn't understand why. But it gave him an opportunity to strike. He did so the same way as before. His claws once again dug a hole in his stomach. He didn't like doing this, but it was effective. He could feel one of his organs brushing against his hand. He grabbed a hold of it and twisted. The decoy of Naraku fell to the ground in pain.

"You damn-." was the last word ushered from his lips. Inuyasha didn't feel the relief that he thought he'd feel from conquering Naraku. He didn't enjoy killing. If there was a way to settle it without having to kill him, he would have done it, but there wasn't.

Kikyo stood up. She sensed some trouble from Kagome. She knew of Kagome's spiritual powers and she knew she was much stronger than anyone realized. Should I tell her?

"What is it?" A member of the wolf tribe asked.

"I sense a little trouble from one of the friends that went to Naraku. It'll be fine though." Kikyo clasped her hands together. This process would normally take some time before being accomplished, but she had a good idea what was going on and, plus, it was easier due to the fact that they were related. Kagome... can you hear me?

Kagome saw that while Naraku was down, the window appeared again. She looked out and saw Inuyasha getting the wind knocked out of him and then struck down to the ground hard. She saw that he didn't move for a little while, before the window closed again. Naraku now stood on his feet. I need to end this and quick ... Suddenly, a voice came into her mind and she blacked out momentarily. Kagome... can you hear me?

I can hear you, but I can't see you.

Listen to me. I'll explain how we're able to speak with each other later. First, you need to learn an old technique I know of.

But Naraku.. he's liable to attack me at any time.

By the time we finish speaking, it'll only seem like a few seconds in time.

Really?

Yes. Now, listen Kagome. Listen carefully.

Inuyasha ran into the house and up the stairs. Everyone else better be alright, or else. He reached the top of the stairs to see Kikyo looking at what used to be the door that they headed through to fight the battle.

"What's going on here?" Kikyo turned to him.

"Naraku's still alive. What you fought was a decoy, a distraction."

"Where is Naraku now?"

"In the room fighting Kagome."

"What room? Where?" Kikyo pointed at the sealed-off wall.

"No." He extended his claws and struck at the invisible door, but was reflected by the barrier.

"I've tried to break it. It's no use."

"Damn it. What am I suppose to do, sit around here?"

"It's the only choice." Inuyasha growled. He hated this. Not only was he fooled, but now Kagome was fighting him alone in a room that he can't get to. He sat down and stared at the wall.

"How much do you care for her?" Kikyo asked softly. Inuyasha was taken by surprise. He knew this would come up sooner or later, but he didn't know how to answer. He loved her, but at no time he loved Kikyo as well. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, yet he wasn't about to lie about it either.

"I love her." Kikyo nodded. She thought that they seemed close. "Kikyo, I'm sorry, but now - things are different."

"I know. It seemed like you two were close. At first, it did anger me a little bit, but it's obvious that we truly went meant to be with each other. I can see that you've changed. She was the one who caused that. I'm happy for you, Inuyasha. You've got a special person. Never let her go."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'll live. Now, all I can ask for is your friendship. That's all that I want."

"And that you will have, forever." They stood in silence for a while. Inuyasha looked back at the wall.

"Can you sense anything?"

"Not right now, but Kagome will come out of this battle victorious."

"How do you know?" Kikyo looked at the 'door'. Her lips twitched upward.

"Because she's Kagome."

Kagome's sight was restored. Naraku had yelled something as her, but she didn't hear him.

"Hmm... Sorry. I didn't hear you. Can you speak a little louder?" She said sarcastically. Naraku growled at her and charged at her in an assault. Kagome caught the glint of a blade that Naraku had hid up his sleeve. She smirked. She didn't move nor did she react in anyway. Naraku moved to slice her throat, but Kagome dodged it. But that's impossible. No human can move that fast. Naraku looked around the room. She was on the complete opposite side of the room, with a bow in her hand. How the... Then he remember something he had read once. He was reading in an ancient scroll on demons, priestesses, and mikos from the past to study their techniques, styles, and powers. There was a myth of a miko called Midoriko. She was so powerful that she could shaped her spiritual energy into things. In the instance that he was in, it was a bow. She's the reincarnation of Midoriko. He thought. Kagome had an arrow notched in the bow and took aim, by the time that he gather together these thoughts. She released the arrow and mumbled one word. "Purify."

Inuyasha jumped to his feet. The door was flicking in and out. He growled and ran for it once it appeared. Kikyo walked inside. Inuyasha looked around the room. Naraku was on the floor. He was panting in pain. Suddenly, a light bursted from his chest, blinding the onlookers. Impulsively, Inuyasha jumped to Kagome, putting his arms around her and placing himself in front of whatever it was that could have been an attack. They shielded their eyes. By the time that it died down, a total different person was left in place of Naraku. He seemed to be a human around their age. He was laying on the ground, unconscious. Everyone just looked around.

"Okay. What just happened?" Inuyasha demanded. Kikyo didn't answer. She walked over to the man laying on the floor. She could see that his breathing was normal and his heartbeat was regular. She saw his eyes flutter open. He focused in on her.

"Ki-Kikyo?"

"Yes, Onigumo. It's me." She began checking him for injuries.

"What happened? I don't remember anything since the last time I asked you out which you turned me down for some guy you were already dating."

"Inuyasha, this is Onigumo. Do you remember the guy that I told you that I would tutor and he'd be hitting on me the whole time?"

"Yes, this is the guy?"

"Yes. Naraku had his obsession with me because he was partly Onigumo. The theory I have is that after he was heart-broken because I constantly turned him down that he met up with a demon. He sole his soul to him if he could only have me. Combined, they became the hanyou, Naraku."

"Hanyou? Ah... he was only half demon."

"Exactly." Onigumo moved to sit up, but stopped halfway because of pain. Kikyo stopped him.

"I need to get him to a place where he can rest. Kagome can probably explain the rest to you."

"I can?" Kagome asked.

"Yes. If you have a question, you can ask me easily, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. How are we able to do that?"

"It has to do with our miko blood. That is what enables us to speak telepathically. It also has to do with us being related. Close family members always have connections. It's kind of similar to the time that I was sick and you felt that something was different or wrong. With our miko blood, it enhances it to the extent that we can speak." Onigumo groaned rather loudly. Kikyo's attention diverted. She walked over to him. "Can you walk?" He stood to his feet shakily. Kikyo let him use her as a support and they left. Inuyasha turned to Kagome.

"Are you alright? You aren't injured, are you?" He asked.

"I'm fine. A little fatigued, but I'm fine." He looked around. He walked over to the wall and sat down, leaning his back against the wall. Kagome followed his example and sat down next to him. He put an arm around her.

"What happened?"

"Well, I saw you and Naraku fall out the window. I looked out and you were laying in the ditch, which freaked me out due to my dream or vision or whatever you want to call it. Anyways, I ran out of the room into this one. As soon as I did, the doors disappeared and Naraku stood in the middle. He said he wanted my miko energy and I told him to go to hell." Inuyasha chuckled.

"That's my girl." Kagome gave him a look and then continued.

"He tried to tempt me to give it up for your life. He showed me your battle with the decoy and told me it was hopeless. That's when I realized that he was controlling the decoy with his thoughts. So, I gave him a bit of a shock."

"How?"

"An old technique Gramps told me about. Basically, you have to wait for the right moment to when your opponent won't sense it, in mid-strike, and I used some of my energy to fly from my fingertips like sparks. That gave Naraku an unsuspected, yet powerful zap. It gave him a moment to connect with the ground and you a moment to kill the decoy."

"I should be thanking you, then."

"Don't worry about it. Anyways, I blacked out after that. I heard Kikyo talking to me telepathically. She told me that we were from a line of mikos that go way back to the feudal times. It was believed that I was the reincarnation of one of the most powerful called Midoriko. Kikyo said that she had a special techinque to purify demons. She talked me through it and you saw the results." Inuyasha nodded.

"You never done it before?"

"No." He growled. "What?"

"Kikyo was going on pure chance that you can do that. If you didn't have so much miko energy that could have killed you."

"I know." Inuyasha looked at her.

"But you did it anyways?"

"Yes. If I didn't have enough energy, the worst that would happen was that with my enegry would have exploded, killing me and Naraku."

"You would risk your life to kill him?"

"To make him pay for what he had done. To cause justice."

"It wouldn't be worth your life. Not to me. Not to anyone." Inuyasha said harshly. Kagome looked at him.

"Listen. It didn't kill me. It's all over now."

"Yeah, but you did something very stupid. What about next time?"

"Hopefully, there won't be a next time, Inuyasha. It's complete. The demon, Naraku, is dead. Onigumo was a fool and let him take over, but the evil is dead." Inuyasha realized her words were true. It's done. He chuckled.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just that you were the one to get revenge for us all. He's gone, because of you and you were generous enough to save the human, Onigumo."

"Yeah."

"You're wonderful and forgiving. I'd kill him all off."

"No, you wouldn't. You just think that. You're more of a good guy than you seem to think."

"I have you to thank for that. I love you, Kagome."

"Love you too, Inuyasha." Thier lips met once again in a passionate kiss.